One of the hardest parts of planning any trip or holiday is finding the best place to stay. It can be even more challenging when you’re visiting a major city like Shanghai, where the choice of accommodation feels overwhelming. A trip to this elegant city should be stress-free, so to help you make a decision we’ve crafted a helpful guide for the best places to stay in Shanghai.
In this article, we present a helpful guide for where to stay in Shanghai with the best neighbourhoods that will suit a variety of travellers. We showcase People’s Square which is the best place for tourists in Shanghai as well as highlight The Bund as the best place to stay for nightlife. We also present Pudong as the best place to stay in Shanghai for families.
We provide recommendations for where to stay in each section with a variety of budgets in mind. So if you’re thinking about a sensational holiday in China, read on to discover the best places to stay in Shanghai.
Shanghai is known as ‘the pearl of China’ and with so many sights and attractions, it’s not hard to see why. The city is the perfect blend of tradition and modernity which creates an exciting tourist experience. There are so many places to visit in Shanghai so if sightseeing is your main goal you will want to stay somewhere that will keep you close to all the best things to do.
Nestled in the heart of Shanghai, People’s Square is a major hub for business and leisure which makes it one of the best places to stay in Shanghai. The vast square is well connected to other parts of the city so it’s perfect for sightseeing as you won’t need to travel far. Being the centre for activity in the city, it’s a great place to stay if you want to get the most authentic experience of Shanghai.
One of the best reasons to stay in People’s Square is that some of the top attractions in Shanghai are just steps away. The square itself features the Shanghai Museum and the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall. These are great places to explore in Shanghai that provide more insight into local culture and history.
Similarly, in the northwest of the square, you can find Shanghai Grand Theatre which is a prominent performing arts venue and a great place to catch a show. The theatre hosts concerts, ballets and operas so it’s a great way to immerse yourself in Chinese culture and learn more about their artistic heritage.
What makes People’s Square one of the best places to stay in Shanghai is its proximity to People’s Park. Found in the northern part of the square, this park is a stunning green area that features gardens, sculptures and a large lake. It’s the perfect place for a summer stroll and provides a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of the city streets.
Another benefit of staying in People’s Square is that it has great public transport links. People’s Square Station is a popular stop on the metro and gives visitors access to Lines 1, 2 and 8 so they can easily navigate through the city. Likewise, the square is serviced by a handful of bus routes and even a specific sightseeing bus which will take you to all the top attractions in Shanghai.
You will find some of the best hotels in Shanghai around People’s Square which provides plenty of accommodation options. Below we highlight some of our recommendations for places to stay that will keep you close to the main attractions.
Travellers with tighter budgets will be pleased to know that there are a few cheap hotels in Shanghai which offer a more affordable place to stay. One such hotel is Crowne Plaza Shanghai Nanjing Road. This affordable chain hotel has great transport links and is just 700 metres from People’s Square, making it perfect for tourists visiting Shanghai.
If you have a bit more room in your accommodation budget you should consider staying at the Holiday Inn Shanghai. This lovely hotel overlooks People’s Square, offering amazing views of the Shanghai skyline. It is just a 15-minute walk from the hotel to The Bund and other attractions, making it one of the best places to stay in Shanghai for tourists.
For those seeking luxury, the Shanghai Marriott Marquis is an excellent option. This downtown hotel is just 5 minutes away from People’s Square and East Nanjing Road, leaving you right in the centre of the action. The hotel also includes a spa and wellness centre which is the perfect place to relax after a long day of sightseeing.
Exploring the nightlife while on holiday is a great way to rub shoulders with locals and experience a different evening scene. Shanghai is known for being a cool place in China, offering visitors exceptional bars, exquisite restaurants and exciting nightclubs. While the nightlife can be experienced in many places in Shanghai, the Bund is the premier place to stay if this is your main travel goal.
Found on the western bank of the Huangpu River, the Bund was once the main hub for European traders during the colonial period. These days, the area is a popular spot for drinking and nightlife which is made all the more special by the gorgeous architecture. When you stay in the Bund, not only is the nightlife scene right on your doorstep but you also get to enjoy stunning views of the Shanghai skyline.
One of the best aspects of the Bund which makes it a great place to stay in Shanghai is the elegant riverside promenade. It’s the perfect place to take an evening stroll and marvel at the city lights reflecting off the river. For a real treat, you can even take a nighttime river cruise, complete with a banquet meal for the ultimate evening activity.
While the views from the promenade are marvellous, you can get a much better perspective from one of the many rooftop bars in the Bund. Enjoying carefully crafted cocktails or sweet Asian beer while taking in the immaculate skyline is an essential part of any Shanghai trip.
The Bund is also famous for being the centre of Shanghai nightlife. The establishments on the Bund are known for their sophisticated ambience, stylish designs and international DJs. Many iconic bars and clubs have found a home in this vibrant area which has created a trendy atmosphere perfect for party seekers.
Since the Bund is a popular area, it has some of the best accommodations in Shanghai that are great for nightlife-minded visitors. Below we showcase some of our top picks for places to stay that promise to provide a thrilling experience.
The Bund is a very expensive area, so it can be hard to find cheap hotels for your trip. If you want to stay near The Bund and have a smaller budget consider booking the Shanghai Fish Inn. This hotel is just a short walk from The Bund and has convenient access to metro line 6, meaning you can easily explore the city’s nightlife.
Another great choice for hotels near The Bund is The Westin Bund Centre. This fabulous hotel is just steps away from the waterfront and Yuyuan Garden. There are 3 restaurants and 2 bars onsite so it’s the perfect place to stay for those looking for evening experiences.
If you want a lavish setting for your Shanghai trip, the obvious choice is Wanda Reign on the Bund. This luxurious hotel has spectacular views of the Bund and the Shanghai skyline, which can be enjoyed from their rooftop terrace. The Art-Deco interiors are sublime and offer an exceptional space to relax after an evening on the town.
While Shanghai may be a great place to visit for tourists and nightlife, it’s also a fabulous family destination. The busy city has some amazing attractions that are suitable for all ages and offer a unique experience that is certain to create lasting memories. While travellers with young children may feel apprehensive about travelling to such a large city, there is an area that is the best place to stay for families visiting Shanghai.
If you’re thinking about visiting Shanghai with your family then Pudong is the place to stay. Found on the eastern side of the Huangpu River, this built-up area offers an exciting mix of attractions, modern amenities and helpful public transport links. The modern infrastructure is great for family visits, there are well-maintained pavements and public spaces that are conducive to safe family outings.
Staying in Pudong also keeps you close to some of the best things to do in Shanghai. Whether you want to excite the little ones at the Oriental Pearl Tower observation decks or spend an educational afternoon at the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium, there are so many fun activities in Shanghai to enjoy.
Perhaps the best reason to stay in Pudong on a family trip to Shanghai is Shanghai Disneyland Park. This world-class amusement park is one of the largest Disney parks in the world and presents visitors with an exciting opportunity to explore familiar Disneyland attractions that are expertly fused with Chinese culture. You can purchase day passes to the park which will provide endless fun on your visit.
The park is split into multiple areas, like Fantasyland, Treasure Cove and Mickey Avenue. The centrepiece of Shanghai Disneyland is the Enchanted Storybook Castle, which is one of the largest Disney castles to date. Other attractions include amazing rides such as ‘TRON Lightcycle Power Run’ and ‘Soaring Over the Horizon’ which offer thrilling entertainment for the whole family.
The great thing about Pudong is that it has some of the best family hotels in Shanghai. These venues offer connected family rooms, cribs and child-friendly dining options that will cater to your specific needs. Below we highlight some of our top picks for places to stay in Pudong.
Travellers seeking cheap hotels in Shanghai, specifically in Pudong, should consider the Dorsett Shanghai. This elegant hotel is found right in the heart of Pudong and has shuttles which can take guests to top sights like the Shanghai New International Expo Centre and Shanghai Disneyland Park. The hotel is right next to Century Park metro station and features a range of dining options.
A great family hotel in Shanghai is the Primus Hotel. This hotel also includes a shuttle which takes guests to Disneyland as well as the airport for convenient transfers. There is also a lovely garden and terrace as well as an indoor pool which will keep any young travellers entertained.
Luxury travellers looking to stay in Pudong will be overjoyed by the offering of Pudong Shangri-La. This gorgeous hotel is set across two buildings and features a wonderful array of activities like an indoor pool, whirlpool and children’s play area. The hotel has 8 different dining venues which offer everything from traditional Chinese cuisine to European favourites.
There are so many places to stay in Shanghai that are suitable for a variety of travellers. The city is a metropolitan marvel which is brimming with things to do and places to visit and your interests will largely impact your choice of where to stay in Shanghai.
Tourists and sightseers will adore People’s Square and its convenient proximity to the top attractions in Shanghai. Lovers of nightlife will find everything they need and more on The Bund and can enjoy exceptional evening views. Families will feel right at home in Pudong where some of the best things to do in Shanghai can be found as well as other amazing family attractions.
Have a look at some more of our helpful guides:
You should aim to spend at least 3 days in Shanghai. This will give you plenty of time to explore the city’s top sites and dive into the amazing shopping and dining opportunities. You may want to add a couple of days to experience some of the other nearby sites like the charming Shanghai river towns, which can be found just outside of the city.
Shanghai is extremely tourist friendly which makes it a top place to visit in China. Although Mandarin is the official language, many people speak English as well. There is an efficient public transport system which makes sightseeing very easy and the city is very used to hosting visitors, so you can always ask for help when you need it.
Shanghai is also very safe which makes it an ideal destination for families and solo travellers. However, you should practise normal travel precautions like being aware of your surroundings and keeping your belongings safe. Some scam artists and petty criminals will target tourists so it is best to remain vigilant, especially in busy areas.
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